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Notify method with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to assist your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.

Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new month-to-month conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber resilience Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to sign up with the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, trends, and methods delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining elevated but development slowing. Total assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult background.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of higher oil costs, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without significant main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
Navigating GCC Market Strategy in 2026Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the wider area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far limited their impact on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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